Combined eadiator cap and belief valve foe automobiles



Aug. 7, 1923. 1,464,230

A. R. WIGHTMAN COMBINED RADIATOR GAP AND RELIEF VALVE FOR AUTOMOBILESFiled June '5. 1922 25 19 15 w 7 14: a2 22 16 Z3 17 f Patented Aug. 7,1923.

UNITED STATES ANDREW R. WIGHTMAN, 0F MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS.

COMBINED RADIATOR CAP AND BELIEF VALVE FOR AI TTOMOBILES.

Application filed June 5, 1922. Serial No. 566,058.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that 1, A DREW R. NIGHT- MAN, a citizen of the United Statesof America, and a resident of Malden, in the county of Middlesex andCommonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and use fulImprovements in Combined Radiator Caps and Relief Valves forAutomobiles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a combined radiator cap and relief valve forautomobiles and particularly to a form of valve that is veryconveniently located in the removable cap or closure of the radiator.

An object of the invention is to produce a radiator cap having mountedtherein a simple and cheap valve adapted to automatically function torelieve pressure in the radiator, due to the formation of steam therein,occasioned by lack of water or the poor circulation thereof.

It is a common occurrence in water cooled motors to overheat the waterto such extent that steam is generated in the radiator. This sometimeshappens even when there is sufficient water in the radiator when themotor has been run for a long period at high speed. More often steamgeneration is caused by an insufiicient supply of water or poor or noncirculation thereof.

In any event the formation of steam, and consequently pressure intheradiator is not desired and in fact in some instances actsdetrimentally to the proper circulation of the water.

It is an object of the present invention to provide automatic means torelieve the radiator of pressure so formed by supplying a simple reliefthe use of which obviates the use of the well known overflow or ventpipe. Heretofore the overflow pipe has been considered a necessaryadjunct to a radiator and while simple in itself it is subject to clogging and leakage and has not the capacity to relieve pressure therequired amount for the best results.

The present invention consists in certain features of construction.arrangement and combination of parts which will be fully understood froma description of the drawings and the claim hereinafter given.

0f the drawings:

Figure 1. represents a side view of the improved valve contained capapplied for use. Figure 2 a section on the line 22 Figure 1. Likecharacters represent like parts in the drawings.

The drawings herewith show one form of radiator cap convenientlyarranged to receive therein a pressure relief valve suitable for theoccasion. It will be understood that the size and shape thereof may beas desired so long as provision is made to receive therein a valveadapted to automatically function upon the generation of pressure in theradiator. The radiator indicated at 10 has the usual screw threadednipple 11 to receive the cap 12 which in this instance has the dome likeportion 13 hollowed to form a chamber 14 having the perforations 15 andthe hand bar 16.

A partition 17 is formed in the cap having a threaded hole into which acentrally bored screw plug 18 is inserted which forms a seat for thevalve about to be described.

The dome 13 is provided with an opening at the top thereof through whichthe threaded end of a stud 19 is passed and held by an ornamental nut20. The said stud is cen' trally bored as at 21 to slidingly receive thestem 22 of a valve member 23 which is provided with. a resilient closuredevice 24 adapted to find a seat on the plug 18. Normally the valve isheld in closed position by a spring 25 acting on the adjusting screw 26through a washer 27, turning the said screw in one direction or theother increases or decreases the tension of said spring by which meansthe valve may be adjusted to automatically lift upon a predeterminedpressure in the radiator.

It will also be understood that if desired the screw plug 18 may beadjusted toward or from the valve to increase or decrease spring tensionfor the same purpose. Normally the valve assumes the position shown inFigure 2 but upon the generation of a predetermined or sufficient amountof pressure in the radiator, the valve will be forced upwardly from itsseat against the action of the spring and the valve lifting agent willfind its way to the atmosphere through the holes 15, and if it is steamor vapor a visual signal or warning is immediately set up.

It is not known that an adjustable pressure relief valve has ever beenmounted in an automobile radiator cap and therefore it i is not theintention to limit the invention to the precise construction hereinshown as it is obvious that slight changes might be made Withoutdeparting from its spirit and scope.

Having described the invention I claim:

In a combined radiator cap and relief valve for automobiles, a bodyportion having a partition therein to form a closure for said radiator;a centrally bored screw plug adapted to form a seat for a valve; a valvehaving a stem; a centrally bored stud fast 10 with said body portion inwhich said stem is guided; a spring in the bore of said stud; and ascrew carried by said valve adapted to regulate the tension of saidspring.

Signed by me at Malden, Mass, this 2nd 15 day of June 1922.

ANDRElV R. VVIGHTMAN.

